THE GEEAT CONTEST 



OF 



LECOMTE AND LEXINGTON. 



THE FIRST EVENT. 



THE FASTEST TIME ON EECOED I FOUE-MILE HEATS IN 7.26— 7.SS 8-4. 



" The fashion of this world passeth away," saith the good 

 book ; and we have a new ilhistration of it furnished us by the 

 events of yesterday's race on the Metairie Course, Fashion's 



7.32 and 7.45, on Long Island, in 1842, and George Martin's 



7.33 and 7.43, here, in 1843, the two best races that have ever 

 been run, having been signally beaten by the winner of the 

 day. Where is Eclipse now ? exclaimed Young America, when 

 Fashion beat Boston, in five seconds less time than was made 

 by the conqueror of Henry. Where is Fashion now ? we, in 

 our turn, demand, as we see her beaten, in six seconds and a 

 half less time than her own. 



Truly, we live in a progressive age, and what we are coming 

 to, who can tell? 



During the week past, the question had been repeatedly 

 asked, if any of the contestants in the late State Stake-race 

 would run again during the present season, A feverish excite- 

 ment pervaded the community in view of such a possible event, 

 and the conviction was freely expressed that if it were to come 

 off, Lexington would be likely to have his well-won laurels 

 cropped, if not to lose them entirely. A contest between Lexing- 

 ton and Lecomte was freely talked of as a thing that must be ; 



